Hunter school counsellor targets rising childhood loneliness

Karen Jubb, a counsellor at Shortland Public School and Hunter School of the Performing Arts, is seeking new ways to combat rising loneliness among students. As a recipient of the NSW Premier's Teacher Scholarship, Jubb plans to use a $15,000 grant for a five-week study tour to London, Manchester, Indianapolis, and Los Angeles to research effective interventions.

Jubb noted that students often feel disconnected or misunderstood, even when in groups. She highlighted the BeeWell program in Manchester, which utilized social prescribing to reduce student loneliness by 10 per cent. This approach involves schools and the broader community working together to foster connections.

Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare indicates that in 2024, 13 per cent of individuals aged 15-24 reported feeling lonely, while 17 per cent experienced social isolation.